New American Standard Bible

Song of Solomon 1

The Young Shulammite Bride and Jerusalem’s Daughters

2 “[b]May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!For your love is better than wine.3 “Your oils have a pleasing fragrance,Your name is like[c]purified oil;Therefore the [d]maidens love you.4 “Draw me after you and let us run together!The king has brought me into his chambers.”

“[e]We will rejoice in you and be glad;We will [f]extol your love more than wine.Rightly do they love you.”

5 “[g]I am black but lovely,O daughters of Jerusalem,Like the tents of Kedar,Like the curtains of Solomon.6 “Do not stare at me because I am [h]swarthy,For the sun has burned me.My mother’s sons were angry with me;They made me caretaker of the vineyards,But I have not taken care of my own vineyard.7 “Tell me, O you whom my soul loves,Where do you pasture your flock,Where do you make it lie down at noon?For why should I be like one who [i]veils herselfBeside the flocks of your companions?”

Solomon, the Lover, Speaks

8 “[j]If you yourself do not know,Most beautiful among women,Go forth on the trail of the flockAnd pasture your young goatsBy the tents of the shepherds.

9 “[k]To me, my darling, you are likeMy mare among the chariots of Pharaoh.10 “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments,Your neck with strings of beads.”

12 “[m]While the king was at his [n]table,My [o]perfume gave forth its fragrance.13 “My beloved is to me a pouch of myrrhWhich lies all night between my breasts.14 “My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossomsIn the vineyards of Engedi.”